Sad, Important Topic Handled 'With Grace,' Store Owner Says

ROCKY HILL — Wednesday was a bittersweet day for comic book junkies and Archie fans everywhere.

In the latest issue of "Life With Archie," distributed Wednesday, the title character dies jumping in front of a bullet meant for his friend, who was targeted for being gay.

Eileen Albrizio, owner of Hero's and Hitters comic shop in Rocky Hill, said Archie's death was "incredibly sad" but also important, given the subject matter.

"The Archie publications handle these kinds of things, and this in particular, with grace." Albrizio said. "Of course it's sad, but they're broaching topics that need to be broached."

"Life With Archie" chronicles the traditional Archie characters in young-adulthood as they face more serious issues than in other Archie franchise comics, which focus on the teenage years. It originally was published from 1958 to 1991 and was revived in 2010, following two different timelines — one in which he marries Veronica Lodge, and the other in which he marries Betty Cooper.

Wednesday's issue will be the penultimate of the "Life With Archie" series, with the final issue featuring other characters reflecting on Archie.

Scott Prentice, an employee at A Hero's Legacy comic shop in Manchester and longtime comic book collector, said Archie's death was appropriate given the comic's direction.

"The whole comic from day one has been dealing with different adult items," Prentice said. "[Archie's death] kind of fits in with the more mature subject matter. I personally wasn't surprised they weren't going to do it this way."

Archie's death was also good for business. Prentice said A Hero's Legacy ordered more than twice as many editions of "Life With Archie" as usual, but still sold out.

Albrizio said her Hero's and Hitters store sold out early in the day, having ordered "not enough" copies.

Prentice and Albrizio were both quick to point out that Archie is dead only in one universe, the "Life With Archie" series, and will live on through the traditional teenage Archie comics.

Thus, they said, Wednesday was less a day for mourning the character and more one for celebrating what he — and his death — represented.

"I'm very proud of the Archie franchise because they take on a lot of issues that young people face today," Albrizio said. "They do it with style. They're not gratuitous about it. Our beloved Archie will still be around, but in this universe he won't be."